Ras Al Khaimah’s residential real estate market recorded a moderation in transaction activity in 2025, even as prices and rents continued to rise, reflecting resilient underlying demand, according to a new report by Cavendish Maxwell.

The emirate registered approximately 6,600 residential sales transactions during the year, marking a 17.4 per cent year-on-year decline from around 8,000 deals in 2024. Total transaction value also fell sharply by 24.7 per cent to Dhs12.4bn, largely due to fewer off-plan project launches and a more selective investment environment.

Despite the slowdown in volumes, price growth remained strong across both major segments. Apartment sales prices rose by 13.4 per cent year-on-year, while villa prices increased by 9.7 per cent. Rental rates also recorded notable growth, with apartment rents rising 10.2 per cent and villa rents up 8.7 per cent over the same period.

The report highlighted that off-plan transactions continued to dominate the market, accounting for approximately 85 per cent of total sales activity. However, off-plan volumes declined by 17.2 per cent to around 5,600 transactions, while ready property deals dropped by 18.7 per cent to about 1,000 transactions.

Yousir Habib, associate director at Cavendish Maxwell, said: “Despite this moderation, RAK’s underlying fundamentals stayed strong, with prices rising for both sales and rentals, reflecting continued investor and end-user interest in the emirate’s expanding portfolio of waterfront developments, branded residences, lifestyle offerings and competitive pricing.

“The outlook for 2026 is positive, thanks to macroeconomic conditions, population growth, and sustained buyer demand, subject to external factors including geopolitical developments, which could influence investor sentiment.

“With 8,400 new properties on the way between now and 2028, RAK’s ability to attract and retain residents, alongside continued enhancement of infrastructure, connectivity and amenities will be key to absorption. The Wynn Al Marjan Island, scheduled to open in spring 2027, is expected to be key to demand by boosting tourism, creating new jobs and generating additional demand for housing,” he added.

On the supply side, the market remained relatively constrained in 2025, with only around 1,200 residential units delivered. However, the pipeline is expected to accelerate in the coming years, with approximately 1,300 units scheduled for completion in 2026 and 1,900 units in 2027, before a more significant increase to 5,200 units by 2028.

The broader macroeconomic backdrop in Ras Al Khaimah remained supportive, with the emirate’s GDP estimated to have grown by 4.3 per cent in 2025, underpinned by a diversified economic base including tourism, real estate, manufacturing, and logistics . Business activity also strengthened, with new business licences rising by 31.5 per cent and total active licences reaching nearly 22,000 by year-end, while Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recorded a 44 per cent increase in new company registrations.

Looking ahead, the outlook for 2026 remains positive, supported by population growth, continued investor interest, and economic expansion. The anticipated opening of major tourism-led developments, including Wynn Al Marjan Island, is expected to act as a key demand driver for the residential sector.

However, the report cautioned that geopolitical tensions in the region could pose risks to investor sentiment and inbound demand, requiring close monitoring in the near term.

Industry experts noted that the market is entering a more mature phase, with sustainability increasingly dependent on balancing supply and demand, disciplined pricing, and continued infrastructure and tourism-led growth

Careem’s DineOut has been named the exclusive digital booking partner for Dubai Restaurant Week, the city’s most anticipated culinary festival organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), running from May 1 to 17.

For the duration of the festival, all reservations across more than 125 participating restaurants will be made through the Careem DineOut platform, positioning it as the single gateway for diners.

Read more: Luxury dining in Dubai for less: Fabulous lunch, dinner offers revealed

The platform offers seamless access to the festival’s signature set menus, priced at Dhs125 for a two-course lunch and Dhs250 for a three-course dinner, reinforcing accessibility for a wide range of diners.

Star-studded restaurant lineup

Dubai Restaurant Week brings together some of the city’s most recognised culinary destinations, including Michelin-recognised establishments, for a limited-time celebration of its diverse dining scene. This year’s lineup features renowned venues such as Gaia, Zuma, Nobu By The Beach, and At.mosphere, alongside popular dining spots including CÉ LA VI Dubai, City Social, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, 11 Woodfire, CHEZ WAM, and CQ French Brasserie.

By serving as the event’s exclusive booking engine, DineOut is set to connect diners across the city with curated culinary experiences.

Leaders highlight partnership impact

Bassel Alnahlaoui, chief business officer at Careem, emphasised the broader vision behind the initiative. “Dubai Restaurant Week is one of the most anticipated moments in the city’s dining calendar, and we’re proud to be the platform that makes it accessible to everyone,” he said. “Our role goes beyond bookings. We are building the digital infrastructure that connects the people of Dubai to the experiences that make this city extraordinary, and this partnership with DFRE is a powerful reflection of that mission.”

Alreem Al Redha, assistant manager of Lifestyle Festivals at DFRE, highlighted the festival’s continued growth. “Dubai Restaurant Week continues to showcase the depth and diversity of Dubai’s culinary landscape, bringing together leading restaurants from across the city,” she said. “Our partnership with Careem enhances the overall experience by enabling a seamless and accessible booking journey, supporting both diners and participating restaurants while strengthening Dubai’s position as a global gastronomy destination.”

Strengthening a strategic collaboration

The partnership reflects ongoing collaboration between Careem and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, aimed at improving access to the city’s experiences for residents and visitors through integrated digital platforms. Dubai Restaurant Week marks the latest milestone in that relationship, further connecting audiences to the city’s vibrant food scene.

Diners can browse participating restaurants, explore exclusive festival menus, and book tables in advance via the Careem app before and throughout the festival.

Skydive Dubai has officially reopened after a month-long shutdown, marking its return with a symbolic ‘Raise the Flag’ jump from 13,000 feet above Palm Jumeirah.

The reopening brings back one of the emirate’s most recognisable adventure experiences, as operators across Dubai’s tourism and leisure sector continue to regain momentum.

The ceremonial jump, staged over the Palm Dropzone, featured Dubai’s coastline as a backdrop and was positioned as a gesture of solidarity with the city as normal operations resume.

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To coincide with the reopening, Skydive Dubai has launched a limited-time promotion aimed at UAE residents.

Between April 24 and May 3, customers booking a tandem skydive can bring a friend along for a second jump at no additional cost. Prices start from Dhs2,199, effectively covering two participants under the offer.

The promotion is open to UAE residents, although the accompanying guest does not need to hold residency. A valid Emirates ID must be presented by the individual making the booking, while the deal is non-refundable and excludes prior reservations.

Bookings are being handled directly via the company’s official Instagram account, with availability expected to be limited during the promotional window.

Operations resume under safety framework

Flights will once again take off from 13,000 feet above Palm Jumeirah, offering aerial views of the coastline and skyline.

Tandem jumps at the Palm Dropzone will initially run from Friday to Sunday, with operating hours starting at 9am. Meanwhile, the Desert Campus resumed operations on April 23 and will run from Wednesday to Sunday, with sessions beginning at 8am.

All activities are being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities under what the company described as a structured, safety-led framework.

The effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to ripple through global trade routes, with shipping data showing unexpected pressure building at the Panama Canal as oil flows are forced to reroute.

New analysis from Lloyd’s List Intelligence reveals that traffic through Hormuz has dropped sharply following attacks on non-Iranian-linked vessels, with just seven ships transiting the chokepoint between April 22 and the morning of April 23.

Of those, six were linked to Iranian trade, underlining how severely access for international shipping has been constrained.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply typically passes, is now effectively operating under restricted conditions, forcing buyers and traders to rethink supply chains in real time.

That shift is now showing up thousands of kilometres away.

“The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is placing an increasing strain on another shipping chokepoint: the Panama Canal,” a report from Lloyd’s List Intelligence notes.

In a highly unusual development, crude cargoes are now moving along routes that would rarely be considered under normal market conditions.

“Crude cargoes do not typically flow from the Atlantic basin to Asia via the panamax locks. They do now,” the report sadds, highlighting the dramatic reconfiguration of global energy logistics.

Asian buyers, who are heavily reliant on Middle East Gulf supply, are being forced to source oil from the Atlantic basin instead, redirecting flows through the Panama Canal.

The result is rising congestion and a surge in demand for transit slots at a waterway already operating under capacity constraints.

Pockets of success

Meanwhile, container shipping group Hapag-Lloyd on Friday said one of its vessels has crossed the Strait of Hormuz, although the company did not disclose the timing or circumstances of the transit.

Four of its ships remain in the Gulf, after one vessel left its fleet following the expiry of a charter agreement. The remaining ships are carrying around 100 crew members, who are reported to be well supplied with food and water.

Scores of tankers and other vessels are still effectively stranded in the Gulf.

The conflict, which began on February 28 following military action by the US and Israel against Iran, has been paused since a ceasefire on April 8. However, diplomatic efforts to reach a lasting resolution have stalled, with talks between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan ending without agreement and no timeline set for further negotiations.

Tehran has said it will not consider reopening the strait until Washington lifts its blockade on Iranian shipping, which it argues violates the ceasefire terms.

In a show of force this week, Iran released footage of commandos boarding a large cargo vessel, underlining its continued control over the critical waterway.

Dubai’s much-anticipated Restaurant Week is set to return this May, bringing together more than 125 venues and over 25 cuisines in a citywide celebration of gastronomy.

Running from May 1 to 17, 2026, the event invites residents and visitors to explore Dubai’s vibrant dining scene through curated menus designed to showcase culinary diversity at accessible price points.

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The annual event has grown significantly since its inception, evolving into one of Dubai’s standout culinary showcases. This year’s edition features a mix of fine dining establishments, premium casual eateries, and homegrown concepts, including venues recognised by MICHELIN, Gault&Millau, and MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Curated menus and world-class chefs

Participating restaurants will offer specially priced set menus, including a two-course lunch at Dhs125 and a three-course dinner at Dhs250 per person. These menus provide diners with the opportunity to sample signature dishes from some of the city’s most sought-after kitchens.

More than 30 MICHELIN Guide-listed venues are included in this year’s line-up, alongside one Michelin-starred restaurant. The event also brings together an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed chefs, including Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, Izu Ani, Alvin Leung, Akira Back, Kelvin Cheung, and Hadrien Villedieu.

Homegrown concepts also play a prominent role, with standout names such as Girl & The Goose – Restaurante Centroamericano by Gabriela Chamorro highlighting Dubai’s diverse culinary identity.

Seamless booking experience introduced

New for 2026, bookings are fully integrated with Careem DineOut, offering diners a streamlined experience from browsing to reservation. The platform also enables participating restaurants to connect with new audiences through targeted digital engagement.

“This year’s Dubai Restaurant Week demonstrates how much Dubai’s culinary scene has grown and the role it plays in shaping its future,” said Ahmad Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

“When we first launched it, it featured only 30 restaurants, and now we have more than 125 participating restaurants championing an exceptional mix of homegrown and international venues,” he added. “This makes Dubai Restaurant Week one of the most anticipated events in the city each year. Thanks to our partnership with Careem, the booking journey is now more seamless than ever.”

From globally recognised cuisines such as Japanese, Italian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Indian to distinctive local concepts like Gerbou, which celebrates Emirati hospitality, the event reflects the breadth of Dubai’s evolving food culture.

Whether revisiting favourite dining spots or discovering new ones, Dubai Restaurant Week encourages diners to experience the city one table at a time.

Bookings are exclusively available via Careem DineOut.